Remarks on Opportunities and Challenges for Zain Group

"Towards the end of 2001 I completed my term of office as Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) having had the honour and privilege of sowing the people of our continent for an unprecedented three successive terms. Around that time I was approached by Mo Ibrahim, the founder and chairman of Celtel to be a member of the Board. My initial reaction was very reluctant to put it mildly. But then I had a long talk with Mo. Arising from this conversation and subsequent experience, two things particularly impressed me about Celtel. First that it was seriously committed in word and deed to the cause of bringing Africa together. And there is no doubt that a lot has been accomplished during these years. Having personally experienced the trials and tribulations of lack of efficient communication in our continent and what this did to frustrate the realization of Africa's multifaceted grand plans in the political, economic and social sectors, Celtel's contribution to overcome this deficiency was and is monumental." - Dr. Salim, March 14, 2008